For special rituals, tantric priests (Vajracharya) wear a special helmet in Nepal, which is provided with deities and symbols. The metal helmet shown here shows four transcendent Buddhas in the lower row, which are assigned to the four cardinal points. In the middle row are medallions with the female companions of the four Buddhas. Individual symbols, such as a wreath of prayer, are shown above. The top of the priest’s helmet is a vajra (thunderbolt).
Details
- Title : Priest Helmet
- Year : 18th century
- Classification : Cultural Objects
- Medium : Gouged copper sheet, gold-plated
- Dimension : Object size: 25.7 x 20 x 21 cm ; Weight: 0.9 kg
- Accession No : Identification number. I 5945
- Country/ Geo-location : NEPAL
- Collection : Pergamon Museum
- Collection : Museum of Asian Art South, Southeast and Central Asia
- Photo : Museum for Asian Art of the State Museums in Berlin - Prussian Cultural Heritage Photographer: Susanna Schulz